The Sakura Legend

Outside the gates of Konoha.

Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki stopped Sakura at the entrance. Since Sakura had left the village with Jiraiya and hadn't officially registered as a ninja, she naturally lacked any ninja records. With so many people in Konoha, the two gatekeepers couldn't possibly remember everyone.

Sigh... When she left, she'd forgotten to ask the Third Hokage for some kind of pass. He probably forgot, too. Even if Kotetsu and Izumo had seen her three years ago, they likely wouldn't remember her now.

Sakura was standing at the gate, bored out of her mind, waiting for them to send someone to notify the Third Hokage, when an ANBU operative suddenly appeared. "Sakura Haruno, please come with me. The Third Hokage wishes to see you."

"Alright," Sakura said. She'd figured that the Third Hokage would want to see her as soon as she returned to the village.

Inside the Hokage's Office.

"Sakura, welcome back. Your training these past few years must have been arduous," the Third Hokage said kindly.

"Thank you for your concern, Hokage-sama. I learned a great deal from Tsunade-sensei," Sakura replied respectfully.

"It seems you truly have learned a lot," the Third Hokage said, gazing at the diamond-shaped seal on her forehead with a hint of awe.

"Did Tsunade have anything to say?" the Third Hokage asked curiously. Considering Tsunade's personality and the arrangement he'd made, it would be more surprising if she hadn't said something.

"Um... well... Sensei said... she said not to let the Hokage-sama bother her anymore," Sakura said, a little hesitantly, but she ultimately decided to tell the truth.

"Hahahaha! That's just like her," the Third Hokage laughed heartily. "It's good to have you back. It's good to have you back."

"From today, your status is that of a Konoha genin. Someone will take you to receive your forehead protector and register your ninja information shortly. Then, you'll be assigned to a squad under the guidance of a jonin to carry out missions," the Third Hokage said, his tone turning serious.

"Huh? Isn't there a test? I thought I was supposed to take a graduation exam?" Sakura remembered that the original agreement was for her to take the graduation exam and become a genin upon her return after three years.

"There's no need. If you can't pass a test after training under Tsunade for three years, then no one in Konoha could," the Third Hokage said, shaking his head. "What you lack now is practical experience. I doubt you had many opportunities to undertake ninja missions with Tsunade."

"Then, thank you, Hokage-sama," Sakura said.

"I calculated that you'd be returning around this time. I've already spoken with Iruka. Once you've completed your ninja registration, go directly to him. He'll have your assignment ready," the Third Hokage explained.

In fact, the Third Hokage had already decided on Sakura's squad years ago. Team assignments for particularly outstanding students were often determined while they were still in the Ninja Academy. This was done to increase the graduation pass rate. After all, the students in the Academy varied greatly in skill. If a capable student was held back by two less-skilled teammates, it would be a needless waste of a year for that promising student.

It was justifiable to implement such measures to allow capable students to graduate early and gain experience. For students from clans with complementary secret techniques, like the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, team assignments were practically set in stone from the start. While it might seem a bit unfair, fairness wasn't a consideration on the battlefield.

Sakura then took her leave and followed another ANBU operative to complete her ninja registration. She decided to head home first. She wanted to have lunch with her parents; she hadn't seen them in so long. The Third Hokage had said that team assignments wouldn't be until the afternoon.

Ninja Academy Classroom.

"Hey, what are you doing here? Today's meeting is only for graduates," Shikamaru said lazily, looking at Naruto.

"Hey, can't you see this?" Naruto retorted, pointing to his forehead protector. "As of today, I'm a ninja too! How should I put it... this thing really suits me, you know?"

"Hmph, dead-last is still dead-last, even after graduation," Sasuke muttered from his seat nearby.

"What did you say, Sasuke?! You wanna go?!" Naruto clenched his fists, glaring at Sasuke.

"Sigh, I wonder when Sakura's coming back. We've already graduated. I hope she makes it in time," Shikamaru mused, looking somewhat listless at the two bickering boys.

"Speaking of which, Sakura-chan should be back soon, right? I asked Iruka-sensei, but he said he didn't know," Naruto said, sitting back down, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

"Yeah, sigh... If Sakura comes back, she'll be the top of the class, won't she? Haha, Sasuke, your number one spot is in danger," Shikamaru teased, turning to Sasuke. Naruto, hearing this, joined in, snickering at Sasuke.

"Hmph, I've improved a lot these past few years. Even if Sakura comes back, it won't change anything," Sasuke retorted, unable to resist responding to their taunts.

Just as Naruto was about to tease Sasuke further, Iruka opened the door and entered the classroom. The room instantly fell silent. Iruka walked to the podium and said,

"Alright, everyone. From today, you are all full-fledged ninjas. However, you are only rookie genin. The real challenges lie ahead. You will be placed in three-man squads, under the guidance of a jonin instructor, to carry out missions."

"Three-man squads?" a murmur of surprise rippled through the students.

"I wonder if I'll be on the same team as Sasuke-kun," Ino thought, her gaze fixated on Sasuke with a lovestruck expression. Ever since Sakura had left, there was no one constantly clinging to Sasuke. Ino felt her chances had greatly improved, and she'd been relentlessly pursuing Sasuke, but he remained aloof. Her progress over the past three years had been minimal.

"Anyone is fine, as long as they're not too troublesome," Shikamaru thought, completely lacking in enthusiasm.

"I wish I could be on the same team as Sakura-chan. But I haven't seen her back yet," Naruto thought, feeling a pang of disappointment.

"Na...Naruto-kun," Hinata whispered, her face slightly flushed, looking at Naruto, who was slumped over his desk.

"Three-man squads, huh? Hmph," Sasuke grunted.

"To balance the strength of each team, the teachers will be making the assignments," Iruka said, looking at the list in his hand. "I will now announce them."

"......" "......." "......." "........"

"Next is Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno."

"Na...Naruto's in a different group," Hinata thought, a little dejected.

"Ah, Iruka-sensei, has Sakura-chan returned?" Naruto, instantly energized upon hearing Sakura's name, jumped to his feet and asked Iruka.

"Yes, I received notification from the Third Hokage-sama this morning that Sakura has returned to the village," Iruka replied, looking at the excited Naruto.

"Alright!" Naruto exclaimed, then continued, "Then where is Sakura-chan now?"

"Sakura will likely be a little late. According to the Third Hokage-sama, she only arrived back in the village this morning," Iruka explained. "Okay, next, Team 8..."

"......" "........" "........"

"That's all for the team assignments. Your jonin instructors will be here shortly. Please wait patiently," Iruka concluded.